Single touch contact lens case

Abstract

The present invention relates to contact lens cases which allow the lens to be removed from the lens case with a single touch. The lenses cases comprise a lens support which holds the lens in a convex position. When package is drained there is less contact area between the support and wetted contact lens, than between the user's finger and the contact lens, providing the desired one touch transfer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A contact lens case comprising:
 a. a support for holding, in a convex position relative to the support, a contact lens having a convex surface; and   b. a lens facing surface comprising at least one air entry guide configured such that, upon opening the case by a user, the at least one air entry guide guides air entering the case over the contact lens convex surface to reduce the incidence of the convex lens surface sticking to the lens facing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the case interior defines a cavity comprising the support, at least one air entry guide, contact lens and packaging solution; and upon opening the case and draining the packaging solution from the lens, but prior to contact by a user's finger, the lens maintains a convex shape on the lens support, and the support contacts the lens at least two points distributed around the lens periphery. 
     
     
         3 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the contact area between the support and the lens after the case is opened is less than about 20 mm 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the contact area between the at least one air entry guide and the lens is less than about 50 mm 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the lens support comprises a plurality of peripheral supports which have a distal end extending at least 1 mm beyond the contact lens peripheral edge and provide at least 3 points of contact with the contact lens edge along the peripheral supports. 
     
     
         6 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the support allows lens solution to drain from the lens and support when removed from the lens solution without trapping packaging solution between the lens and lens support. 
     
     
         7 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the lens further comprises an optic zone and the lens support further comprises, under at least a portion of the contact lens optic zone, a substantially flat top section with an open structure. 
     
     
         8 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the lens further comprises an optic zone and the support comprises a void under at least a portion of the contact lens optic zone. 
     
     
         9 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the lens comprises an apex centered in an optic zone the lens, and the support further comprises a central support having a height, measured from the lens periphery, of not greater than 0.5 mm below the contact lens apex. 
     
     
         10 . The contact lens case of  claim 9  wherein the central lens support has an open structure. 
     
     
         11 . The contact lens case of  claim 9  wherein the central lens support comprises a central column under the lens apex. 
     
     
         12 . The contact lens case of  claim 9  wherein the central lens support comprises a plurality of arms, each arm comprising: a flat top section, an optional side section and an optional peripheral support, a shoulder transition connecting the top and optional side sections, and an optional elbow transition connecting the optional side and optional peripheral support. 
     
     
         13 . The contact lens case of  claim 5  wherein at least some of the distal ends of the peripheral supports are connected to vertical supports which raise the peripheral supports from the lens base. 
     
     
         14 . The contact lens case of  claim 5  further comprising at least a partial ring around the distal ends of the peripheral supports, at least 2 mm beyond the contact lens peripheral edge. 
     
     
         15 . The contact lens case of  claim 7  wherein the support further comprises a central fillet centered in the flat top section having a width of about 0.1 to about 3 mm across its longest dimension. 
     
     
         16 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  wherein the lens support is disposed at an angle of at least about 20° from the case base. 
     
     
         17 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  further comprising a means for lifting the lens support from the lens solution. 
     
     
         18 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  further comprising a means for lifting the lens support from the lens solution, wherein the lifting means is selected from levers, springs, hinges, pivot arms, folds, mechanical traps, handles and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  further comprising a means for lifting the lens support from the lens solution, wherein the lifting means raises the lens from the packaging solution by tilting the lens support away from the base to an angle of about 15 to about 80° relative to level. 
     
     
         20 . The contact lens case of  claim 1  further comprising a reservoir for capturing packaging solution when the lens and support are separated from the case base.